Morning journal and courier., 1887-10-05
PETITION FOR AmATRoN.

The Women'S Christian Temperance
 Union Petitions the Board of Police Commissioners for R matron at Head- quarters-FavOrablY Discussed by the Board and a Possible Plan Arranged -Other Business DOne by the Board. Mrs. John H. Leeds attended the meeting of the board of police commissioners, F. H. Hart presiding, last evening and asked the board if anything had been done in regard
 to the city's hiring a police matron. She
 represented the Women's Christian Temper ! ance union, which has pushed the matter | with much spirit, and presented the follow 1 ing which was ordered filed: ! The undersigned citizens of New Haven do peti
 tion tehonorable body of police to
 coming seal year of Ssoo for f6e purpose of have ! ing matron at the station house. (Signe9 wood J. B. Robertson, Timothy Dwight, Eli V hit ney, Mrs K M 0. Johnson, president, and Mrs. Temperance union.
 Mrs. Leeds, in answer to queries by mem- \ bers of the board, said she thought $500 would be enough, providing that 8 living | room could be obtained for the woman, who could be near at hand ready to be called up | on at any hour of the day or night. 1 President Hart informed her that the board ! would discuss the matter further and arrive | at some decision during the month. Mrs. Leeds explained that the idea of | having matron was as much for the young ladies on the street.
 'sWould you have them arrested" asked ! Commissioner Benton.
 l "Yes, and put under the care of the mat ron," was the reply. There are many young | girls who go up and down the streets nights | who if they were cared for by these means | would lead better lives. Mrs. Leeds thought that it wouldn't be \ I,o1 I1of<x ! the court or that their names should be in scribed on the police record. Chief Bollman said that every person ar rested had their name inscribed on the rec | ords.
 As Mrs. Leeds was leaving the room she | told the commissioners that if they had g
 matron for one year they would never dc | without one again. t'I handed my petition ! to Prof. Wayland, D she said, "with request II that he sign it. He said by all means; 6 I police matron is just what we ought to have l here.'
 l A hindrance seemed to be about providing l a room for the matron, but Janitor Bohan's
 room, it was agreed, would do frst-rate fol I the purpose, and by changing the women's 1 quarters they could be made to connect with | it. A room for refractory women who would need to Ee under the constant attention of | the matron could be provided for also. The | matron's room would be about 20x20 feet ana 6uhclenJIy large 10 accOnmOQaEe cHlI- dren and young girls.
 | Messrs. Baldwin and Johnson were in- structed to enquire and report in the case. Commissioner Hart said: ''I believe the | 500 or 600 women arrested annually are en- 1 titled to the care of a woman."
 Mayor York thought something should be ! done whereby the women should not be brought through the mems quarters. The proposed change would remedy this. | After further discussion of the matter \ President Hart and Commissioner Johnson 1 were appointed committee to consider the | general estimates for the ensuing year. The | matter of filling places was referred to this l committee also.
 1 The chief was instructed to have 8 Brewer | &c Smith signal box placed at the corner ot ! Congress avenue and West street to replace l the Gamewell box recently demolished by l runaway.
 Chief Bollman made honorable mention oi | the following officers and their names were ! inscribed on the records: Sergeant Bradley Roundsman Cooke, Officers McAvoy, P. Reil 1 ly, Wheeler, Phillips, McKeon, Hart, Lani gan, Connolly, Higgins, Gelston, Brewer, Phi l Reilly, Frank D. Cook, J. McGrath and Der gin.
 The resignation of Officer William Luby l was accepted.
 Bills were approved amounting to $9, 400 Timothy Crowley, Owen Daily and Thomas H. Canty made applications for positions on the force.
 Chief Bollman was requested to make an estimate of all police property and report at the next regular meeting of the board.